Relativity Space don’t intend to stop there. After Terran 1the first rocket printed in 3D, its factory of the future should produce Terran Rthe first fully reusable 3D rocket, also produced in 60 days. Also created in the factory of the future of Relativity, Terran R will be capable of launching more than 20,000 kg into low Earth orbit (LEO) and will therefore be fully reusable, including its engines, first stage, second stage and fairing.
This rocket of the future has unique aerodynamic characteristics with algorithmically generated and optimized structures. As the company’s website states: “Relativity’s proprietary 3D printing process is made possible by proprietary software, exotic 3D printed materials, and unique design geometries not possible with traditional manufacturing.” In short, by developing its factory of the future and its 3D rockets together, Relativity Space sees a great future: “we are shaking up 60 years of aerospace”.
Confirmation by Pierre-Emmanuel Paulis: “We are experiencing a real technological revolution in the space sector. These 3D printers are the future, they are reliable, they use metal, so we are far from plastic materials that would not support the speed of 28,000 kilometers per hour of a rocket, their carbon footprint is much lower than traditional rocket manufacturing processes, in short, 3D printing has only advantages, moreover the whole world is investing in it, whether in Europe or China.”
If all goes well, Terran R will be launched from Cape Canaveral from 2024